Herbal Health » admin

NUTRITION FOR HEALTHY ARTERIES: PREVENTION IN A PILL-A WORD ABOUT ANTIOXIDANTS

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:18:46 +0000

‘A’ vitamins consist of two main groupings, retinol which is fat soluble and therefore stored in the body, so some caution in dosage must be acknowledged (thought not as much as was originally thought), and beta carotene, research into which was mentioned previously (see page 101). This wonder vitamin does not hold the overdose dangers of retinol, as the body only converts it as needed and research has shown that it has considerable protective benefits to offer from all forms of degenerative disease. Make sure it is taken in its natural form – often produced from the algae Dunaliella.

‘B’ vitamins are a special case. They help with stress and three of them, in particular Bl, B3, and B6, have positive effects on the circulation. Since 1984, Dr Stephen Davies, a medical nutritional expert, has assessed the nutritional status of some thousands of his patients. His measurements have included vitamin levels, trace and toxic metal levels. More than seven out of every 10 people tested were borderline or severely deficient in B vitamins. Since toxicity is known to accumulate with age it affords an added reason for taking antioxidants to minimize this damage.

B6 is a mind diuretic and can be used to supplement (or hopefully replace after treatment with EDTA) the use of chemical diuretics. B3 lowers blood cholesterol levels and Bl helps mood, as well as facilitating the processing of alcohol in the liver.

Vitamin ‘C is possibly the most important antioxidant vitamin of all. Linus Pauling has been largely responsible for making the scientific world aware that vitamin C taken in sufficient quantities is a superb free-radical mopper. It fights infection and combats degeneration.

Recent research by the UCLA in California has demonstrated that men taking more than 400mg of vitamin C a day cut their risk of heart disease almost in half, compared to men taking only 100mg or less. This is of great interest in respect to contentions by health authorities that RDAs are sufficient to maintain health.

Comparative studies with animals who can make their own vitamin C (a facility man has lost) reveal that they make the equivalent of 1,000 to 20,000 mg per day for their uses. The average diet is lucky to contain 100-200 mg of this precious vitamin. (NB: drinkers of orange juice, who believe they are getting enough vitamin C, should know that research has shown that commercially grown oranges can, and often do, contain none of this vitamin by the time they are eaten.)

Suffice it to say that this vitamin should be taken on a regular daily basis in far greater quantities than is normally practised. Most people above middle age can safely and sensibly take 3-5g throughout the day – if the bowel becomes loose ease back the dosage until it has stabilized.

Vitamin E is so important in the protection of the cardiovascular system that blood tests usually list its value. This is no doubt a reflection of the fact that low serum E levels are strongly related to heart disease. Ideally the blood level should be over 19. Any lower and supplementation is vital. Most heart sufferers are advised to take therapeutic dosages of at least 400 iu a day, working up slowly to 600-800 iu. NB: vitamin E has an anti-coagulant effect so this must be taken into account if anticoagulants are being taken, otherwise blood-clotting time can be delayed beyond levels that are safe. However vitamin E is a much better anticoagulant to take than drugs. Vitamin E works in conjunction with vitamin C to provide protection against free radical activity.

‘Co-Q-10′ or Co-enzyme-Q-10, was isolated in the mid-1950s and since then has shot to nutritional ‘fame’ for its key role in the production of energy in the cells. Unfortunately, like so many vital body secretions and enzymes, production slows down in middle age and we suffer progressively from its deficit. Metabolic studies have demonstrated that CoQl0 plays a vital role in the utilization of oxygen by the cells and is, therefore, essential for the health of all human tissues and organs. But its effects have been seen to relate particularly to the heart. When 60mg a day of CoQ10 were given to 25 hypertensive patients for eight weeks, there was a significant decrease in blood pressure. Fifty-four per cent of the patients had a mean blood pressure fall greater than 10 per cent.

In Japan more than 14 million people take CoQ10, which is hardly surprising when it is noted that it also helps with diseases such as diabetes, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and peridontal disease.

It is of grave import to note that some are known to inhibit the production and action of CoQ10 in the tissues. If this medication is taken it should at least be combated by taking additional CoQ10 as well.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

LIVING A DYNAMIC, ACTIVE LIFE AFTER HEART ATTACK: STRETCHING AND FLEXING FOR FITNESS

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:18:14 +0000

Did you ever see a rigid, inflexible cat? Of course not. That’s because they do lots and lots of stretching, and so should you. This is one of the easiest and most pleasant of all aspects of your exercise program, yet the most likely to be ignored, especially by those just beginning to exercise regularly.

Stretching exercises can improve and maintain body flexibility, prevent injury sustained during exercise, and provide a great deal of relaxation and stress reduction. Many of the commonly performed stretches are variations on classic yoga postures which have been performed for centuries.

Here’s a simple rule never to be broken: never exercise without accompanying stretches. Don’t be tempted to say that you’re running late and that “just once” won’t hurt. It just might. And always stretch both before and after your exercise sessions.

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Cardio & Blood/ Cholesterol

CHILD’S HEALTH/SPECIFIC PROBLEMS BEHAVIOURS: NAIL – BITING TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:06:24 +0000

Treatment

There is no effective treatment for nail-biting in children. The use of gloves or mittens, threats or punishment, or bitter nail polishes or solutions to paint onto the fingers have not been shown to work, and may cause considerable embarrassment and distress to child and parents alike.

Some advocate the use of chewing gum, arguing that it is difficult to bite one’s nails when one has a mouthful of gum. However, leaving aside concerns about teeth, it is clearly not practical to have gum in the mouth for 24 hours every day. In older children, especially girls, teaching them to take pride in the appearance of their nails is often effective. This can be reinforced by the purchase of a nail file or manicure set.

Where children are visibly anxious or stressed, you should look for contributing factors, and try to deal with them. Sometimes relaxation techniques and similar strategies may be helpful, as may referral to a counsellor if you are deeply concerned about the possibility of underlying psychological problems, but this applies only to a small minority of these children. In older children who are embarrassed by the habit and are clearly motivated to give it up, behaviour modification techniques may be helpful. This should be organised with the help of a psychologist or other professional with experience in the area.

There is usually little reason to seek medical advice for nail-biting in children. If the nailbed or surrounding skin becomes infected, the doctor will treat it appropriately, although it may recur as long as the child continues to be a nail-biter. Sometimes the family doctor may uncover underlying stresses or emotional issues, especially in adolescents, that may contribute to the nail-biting. Issues of confidentiality then need to be taken into account, and this needs to be carefully negotiated between the doctor and family members.

Prevention

No strategies to prevent nail-biting are known. Theoretically, it might be considered that minimisation or reduction in stress levels may lessen the chances of nail-biting beginning or continuing, but this has not been demonstrated to be the case. It goes without saying that good and open communication with children is desirable and can serve to minimise stress.

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MEDICAL TESTS AND PROCEDURES: COMPUTERISED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:15:57 +0000

This is a highly specialised form of imaging, using sophisticated computer techniques, to build up a detailed picture of the structures being examined. It is mainly used to examine the head and brain, spinal cord, chest and abdomen. ‘Slices’ or scans taken at many levels build up a complete image of various organs and internal structures when viewed together. Occasionally some dye is injected into the body through a vein on the back of the hand to highlight certain structures. The procedure itself is painless.

As with ordinary X-rays, CT scanning does expose your child to small amounts of radiation, but this is well within all safety limits.

The machinery itself can look quite frightening to children, as they have to lie still within a large cylindrical tube. It always helps if you stay close to your child during the procedure, and remain calm and reassuring. It may be necessary to give a younger child a light general anaesthetic to ensure that he lies perfectly still for the test.

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POWER OVER PANIC/IN SEARCH OF SELF: PETER’S STORY

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:29:19 +0000

Peter was exhilarated. It was early morning and he had reached halfway in a 10 km bike ride along the coast road. He wished he had brought his camera. Peter had loved photography ever since he was a child. He had always wanted to be a photographer, and now he was one. He thought of his parents. They had both worked long and hard to pay for his university fees, and they were proud of him when he received his PhD and entered the world of academia. Panic disorder/ agoraphobia had changed all that. As Peter progressed towards recovery he realised that academic life was not for him. He struggled silently with the realisation for three years because he didn’t want to let his parents down. He even studied for another degree, hoping to combat his disquiet. It didn’t work, and he made the break to follow his dream of being a photographer. He knew he was taking a risk, but he also knew it was worth it. He was free.

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HOW AND WHY DIAGNOSIS SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM TREATMENT – DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 06:59:05 +0000

If diagnosis and treatment are combined in the one operation, you cannot be in control of the treatment decision. You must agree to the surgeon carrying out whatever operation seems best once the diagnosis is made. You are put to sleep not knowing what operation will be done. Whether or not your surgeon attempts to discuss all the various possibilities with you beforehand, this is not a good option for you. It means you are likely to be unnecessarily disturbed and confused by having to consider a whole lot of different possibilities before your operation-Why do surgeons recommend the frozen section type of procedure then? They recommend it because it is easier for them and because they take it for granted that they should decide what operation is best. Do all you can to ensure that the diagnosis is made before you agree to a treatment-type operation.

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HERNIA – OPERATON

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:16:14 +0000

At operation, the protruding sac is cut off and the stump pushed back inside the abdominal cavity. This sac is formed from the peritoneum, which lines the inside of the abdomen.

The muscle layers of the abdominal wall are then repaired and tightened so as to prevent recurrence. The muscles are pulled tightly together with stitches. Sometimes a layer of stitches or wire is placed between the muscle layers so as to add strength.

The usual stay in hospital is about five days. Most workers are given six weeks off work to recover but the self-employed and those who can be found suitable alternative work involving minimal lifting of restricted weights can return to work within four weeks.

Unfortunately, despite the skill of the surgeon, the hernia may recur and require another operation. This second attempt is always more difficult than the first repair because of the scarring and the difficulty in separating the various muscle layers.

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RH FACTOR IN BLOOD – MODERN TREATMENT

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:31:25 +0000

If mother and foetus are ABO incompatible, her anti-A and or anti-B antibodies would rapidly destroy the foetus’ red cells before they could induce antibody formation.

An Rh negative woman can be sensitised and develop antibodies if she receives a blood transfusion of Rh positive blood.

In the past, Rhesus iso-immunisation was a great worry to every doctor who delivered babies. With modern treatment, it should no longer be seen. Unfortunately, that is not yet the case.

Where an Rh negative woman becomes pregnant to an Rh positive man, in most, but not all, cases the child will be Rhesus positive.

It is rare for the woman to be sensitised in her first pregnancy but one in 10 are sensitised by the second and the percentage becomes higher with each pregnancy. Previously, in six out of every 1000 deliveries, the child would be affected by Rhesus iso-immunisation.

Once the mother has formed these antibodies, they readily cross the placenta to enter the baby’s circulation and can destroy the baby’s red cells.

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GENERAL HAIR CARE

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:12:37 +0000

Hair conditioner is usually a cream to be used as a rinse after the hair has been washed, its basic ingredient being an antistatic compound that forms a residual film on the hair. Shampooing decreases the hair’s normal oily film, resulting in a dry and dull appearance. This may lead to static electricity, making the hair unmanageable; in this state the hair is more prone to tangling, and combing may result in breakages. Conditioners help to control these problems by making the hair more manageable, and leave it feeling soft and glossy. Egg or beer conditioners simply leave a layer of sugar or protein on the hair which may appear to provide more ‘body and manageability’. Protein conditioners, like other protein-containing products for the hair or akin, are not absorbed. They therefore do not change hair structure, affect hair growth, or in any way permanently after the hair. Although hair consists of a protein known as keratin, the hair above the skin is dead tissue that cannot be fed or revitalized. Furthermore the protein derivatives used are derived from animal tissue, not human hair, and are hence incompatible. Protein conditioners have the same effect as any other conditioner, namely to coat the hair shaft with a film that tends to temporarily make the hair appear thicker and improve its appearance and manageability. It does nothing to strengthen the hair or restore its structure, and its affect is only temporary.

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THE G.I. FACTOR: SNACKS – KEEPING YOUR ENERGY LEVELS UP BETWEEN MEALS

admin — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:03:40 +0000

The fine art of grazing! Hands up all those who thought that sensible eating meant keeping to three meals a day? Traditionally, there has been a belief that sensible eating meant sticking to three square meals a day. Perhaps this stems from images of an erratic eater. You know the one, the person who skips breakfast making up for it with snacks during the day and then feasting before sleeping at night—certainly not the ideal pattern! New evidence suggests that the people who graze properly, eating small amounts of food throughout the day at frequent intervals, may actually be doing themselves a favour.

A recent study which compared people eating a diet of three meals a day with those who had three meals and three snacks showed that snacking stimulated the body to use up more energy for metabolism compared to concentrating the same amount of food into three meals. It’s as if the more fuel you give your body the more it will burn. Frequent small meals stimulate the metabolic rate.

The problem with grazing is that most snacks turn out to be high fat foods like cakes, chocolate, snack bars, crisps or pastries. Another criticism of grazing has been that for people who eat too much, increasing the number of times that they face food is tempting disaster. Overeating is less likely to occur if the foods eaten are carbohydrate rich and have a low G.I. factor. Using these foods, you will feel satisfied before you have overconsumed!

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